Manna from Nippon

Long time, no posts, I know but let's just hope this one will make it up for it.

Just found out about this amazing CD compilation by Ace Records. All in all, a 25 track box of assorted candies from Japan's girl singers music scene from the period between 1966 to 1970. The selections are all great and big kudos go to Sheila Burgel from Cha Cha Charming magazine for going the extra mile in assembling this essential CD. Yup, I said "essential". Now go out and buy it.

Kawaii Collage

Everyone loves collages, don't they? Well, at least I do, anyway. Just thought I posted this one I did while biding my time in front of the computer with nothing better to do than watch at cute little pictures. It's been a quiet week here at Nippon Pop Cutie. Maybe I needed a rest. Now I'm back! Expect some pretty good stuff in the coming days. See you all then!

Singing in the Rain

And speaking of umbrellas, here's Izumi Yukimura singing and dancing in one of her many movies (if anyone knows its name, please write to me on the comments area). Izumi was one of the most popular singers in postwar Japan and her success owned a great debt to her amazing ability to marry many styles of singing, from jazz to rock and roll.

Her popularity was such that she even managed to break in America, appearing in some high profile TV shows: she was host to Ed Sullivan to name just one. Enjoy the clip - I know I did.

Jumpin' in the Lain!

This wonderful pastel-like photo by deviantart user sun nyou perfectly illustrates my feelings for today. It's been raining all day long and, come on, this is the middle of July and it's not supposed to rain all day long, right? So, why not celebrate it with some colored umbrellas? And jumping up and down like crazy? As if you were in a movie hybrid of Singing in the Rain and Umbrellas of Cherbourg?

Ok, enough of this silly thing. I just wanted to find a reason to post this cute little photo and I found it. Just barely, but I did. I promise my next post will be at least not as random-like as this one. Until then.

Pinky Chipmunks!

Pinky Chicks was a Beat Girls band I discovered when I purchased the absolutely essential collection Japanese Pop Cuties of the Swinging 60s. This song, called Yopparata Omusume San (which roughly translates to Drunken Girl) completely stood out from the rest of a truly amazing compilation of 26 tracks (and there is also a second volume!). I've been showing it to all of my friends and they imediately fall in love with it the minute they hear it! It truly is a fun and crazy little number and it's a shame I cannot find more information about them online.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll fall in love with it too. Especially when you start hearing those crazy chipmunk-like vocals. Go ahead, click the Play button below and listen to this, their debut single for legendary Victor label.

Retro Fashion

This is one of So-en magazine's amazing fashion spreads I promised I would be posting a few days back. As you can see, the style and mixture of influences is very retro/avant-garde, just the way we like it here at Nippon Pop Cutie. Now, go listen to some 60's Japanese Pop and go wild!

Hotto Peppa!

Current Pop Star Kael Kimura (the above picture is for her new album just out) is seen here in the TV spot below singing a quite catchy tune advertising free coupon magazine, Hot Pepper. So catchy in fact, that you'll find yourself singing it in no time. The thing is, it won't leave your head before the week is over. Today's still Monday.

The reason why I'm posting it is the connection with Peanuts which I personally find it's very Retro Cool.